Italy's beach fees spark protests over high prices and access

Tourists on Italy's Ligurian coast complained after a beach operator in Noli began charging €1 for refilling water bottles and up to €100 for two lounge chairs and an umbrella. Owner Giovanni Riccio said the water‑refill fee is intended to curb plastic waste, not to increase profit.

Across the country, activists are demanding free public beach access as private concessionaires charge up to €42 for two chairs and an umbrella in places such as Santa Severa and Santa Marinelli. Operators argue the fees cover services like lifeguards, restaurants and maintenance. The European Commission has called for transparent, competitive tendering of beach concessions, while the Meloni government extended existing permits until September 2027 and announced new calls for concessions up to 2033. Activists such as Elisabetta Gallo argue that the current system pushes free beaches to undesirable locations, limiting access for those who cannot afford private fees.